Prebuy in Omaha area

[Sable1]

After almost another year of searching, I found a 231 that warrants a closer look.  I'm going to try to get there tomorrow (or hopefully some time this week) to see it in person and give it a quick test flight.

It appears to be in decent shape, and it's been maintained by Maxwell for the last number of years.

My only concern is that it's not been flown much in the past couple of years (a total of about 30 hrs in the past 2 years, 12 in the last year).  So as long as it doesn't need an overhaul soon, I should be ok.  (SMOH 632 in 03)

If anyone is interested, it's 871AM, formerly 5452X.  I've checked the history in the usual places (FAA, AviationDB, etc), and nothing glaring there. 

So if it looks good once I get there, I'll be looking to do a pre-buy.  If anyone has a recommendation in the Omaha area, I'd appreciate it.  I mentioned wanting to send to Benson MN for the pre-buy, but the owner is a little reluctant on that.  (although it may not be out of the question)

Thanks again for all of your insight.

Tedd

[carusoam]

Don Maxwell is a wealth of knowledge. His shop did my PPI. I spoke directly with him assessing the issues that were present.

Since his shop did the maintenance on this plane, an independent opinion is best for the PPI. But it would make sense to ask Don his thoughts on that engine's setting ways...

The nice part of the TCM design is the location of the cam shaft is better for staying oiled compared to the Lyc. But, get that from a source like DMax not so much from CarusoAM...

Best regards,

-a-

[AndyFromCB]

Call Gene at Silverhawk in Lincoln. Used to be Mooney Service Center. Do not do a PPI, do a full annual. It will cost about $2000 and save you a ton of grief. Do no be surprised if the squawk list is close to $20 to $30K on an aircraft this vintage by the time Gene is done going over it.

[Sable1]

causoam - I was able to talk with DMAX last week about the plane.  While he obviously did not recall it right off the top of his head (he may work on more than one Mooney ), he pull up the history on his computer, and we talked about the maintenance that was performed with him over the past 10+ years.  While it did not provide quite the information I was looking for, it did give me the impression that the owner(s) did a pretty good job of maintaining the aircraft, and fixing things as they came up.

As for the PPI, my plan is to do a phased approach (similar to what Mike B suggests), with the option to pull the plug at any time.  Since it's due for an annual in a few months, my plan would be to have the PPI turn into an annual - provided everything looks good to that point.

While I have no delusions that I'm getting a new plane, and that it's going to have some warts, I hope I'm not looking at $30k worth of squawks.  The price on this is not that good.

Thanks for feedback so far.

[AndyFromCB]

causoam - I was able to talk with DMAX last week about the plane.  While he obviously did not recall it right off the top of his head (he may work on more than one Mooney ), he pull up the history on his computer, and we talked about the maintenance that was performed with him over the past 10+ years.  While it did not provide quite the information I was looking for, it did give me the impression that the owner(s) did a pretty good job of maintaining the aircraft, and fixing things as they came up.

As for the PPI, my plan is to do a phased approach (similar to what Mike B suggests), with the option to pull the plug at any time.  Since it's due for an annual in a few months, my plan would be to have the PPI turn into an annual - provided everything looks good to that point.

While I have no delusions that I'm getting a new plane, and that it's going to have some warts, I hope I'm not looking at $30k worth of squawks.  The price on this is not that good.

Thanks for feedback so far.

 

Go fly it first. Make sure everything works on the autopilot. You can blow 20K just making that work properly. When was the last time the gyros and servos were overhauled? It's $2500 for the FD, $1500 for the HSI, $2500 for the HSI gyro, $2000 or so per servo and $1000 for the trim switch. The computer, if not working, costs more than a car to replace.

 

Also, I'd really take a look at the propeller. It's almost twice the calendar overhaul and not having been flown much, might be pretty rusty inside. There is $3K.

 

Make sure the oxygen tank is not timed out. $2K.

 

Check the speed brakes. If they are vacuum (they might be in this vintage) and not working properly, technically speaking they are no longer supported but there are a few tricks to make them like brand new again.

[carusoam]

Funny challenge...

DMax is one of the most reputable PPI sources.

DMax is one of the most reputable Annual sources.

If you use the same source to do the PPI as the plane's shop, it is not independent.

That is similar to getting your bread and your meat from the same place....(not recommended)

I contracted my PPI with Don, remotely from across the country. At my request he flew it and tested the operation of every device, including A/P, GPS, VOR, ILS etc.

I contracted with AAA to sell me a complete plane. Everything had to work as initially installed. Airworthy and others...

It was missing a blue light(dead bulb)...

My confidence in the new-to-me plane was steady. This was helpful to me in understanding that I got what I paid for.

AAA was responsible for the bulb. Airworthiness item related to older GPS installations.

This is my favorite story...

Two great Mooney suppliers.... AAA & DMax

Two excellent documents... PPI & Purchase Agreement

Mooney Specific Transition Training... Bob Cabe (San Antonio)

I would have visited with Don personally if I could have. He is an excellent source by phone when that's all you can get. If you can join him while he does the flight test...(I would have paid extra to fly along)????

This was essentially a technical (engineer, not professional pilot) guy's method of building confidence in the people and process involved in my machine acquisition.

When the machine costs as much as a house and is as complex as a complex turbo IFR airplane.... this is a good process to follow.

Let me know if anyone needs contact information for these folks,

Best regards,

-a-

[Sable1]

Just a quick follow up.  Someone beat me to the punch.  Due to the snow, wind, and work, I was not able to get to Omaha to see it in person, and the other interested party had worked out a deal with the owner.  It's goes in for the pre-buy within a week or so. 

The search is back on.

Thanks again to everyone with the feedback.  One of these days....